Chapter One:
There was madness all around Silva; shouts and cries of women being dragged out of their homes, their children wailing as they clung to their legs. Men were nowhere to be found, mischievously led by the Frost Giants to the outskirts of the village.
Silva lay curled beneath her bed, shivering as she held her sister's hand. Where was her father? Couldn't he feel the danger his daughters were in?
'I'm scared' Silva's little sister Laena whispered in the cold darkness.
Silva tightened her hold around her sister's hand reassuringly, 'Everything will be fine, and father will be here any second now'
She never thought that she'll be the one who comforts her independent, rebellious sister, who never asked for her help. Silva was the quiet one, shunned because of her "abilities". But Laena was the fruit of the family; pretty, a true lady that was introduced to society and had made a name for herself among people. This never made Silva envious; she only wanted to be accepted.
'What will we do if they break into the hut?' Laena pulled Silva from her reverie. 'Will you be able to use…umm…Magic?'
You speak of it as if it's a horrible thing, Silva thought angrily.
'We'll see by then' she muttered irritably.
*o*O*o*
More screams erupted from the huts around. It was unbearable for Silva to hear them and not being able to help…What do the Frost Giants want from this village, Silva wondered, are they trying to spread their power over other realms?
A loud thud cut Silva's thread of thought, making her stiffen with alarm. She was ready for the Frost Giants for so long, reading every book that'll help her develop her magical senses, and practicing her spells whole-heartedly….She just needed the right moment.
*o*O*o*
Laena tensed next to her sister, she never felt comfortable with her sister. She was always mysterious to her…scary even. But never the less, they had to be together to get through this, that, Laena fully understood. The sound of thumping footsteps made Laena shake with fear. They were here…In the hut. Her eyes widened with alarm as she peeked from beneath the bed a pair disgusting, large blue feet stalk in the room. She looked at Silva; surely she would know how to evade these creatures, Laena thought frantically, all that nonsense she reads all the time has to be helpful somehow!
The blue feet started towards the bed but stopped abruptly. Laena averted her gaze to Silva's crinkled expression; her eyes locked on the frost giant, her naturally red lips that made Laena so envious were muttering strange words…Spells?
Suddenly, the frost giant's body fell to the ground with a loud thud. A pair of ruby eyes stared back lifelessly at Laena. Wait. Silva killed? Laena thought fearfully.
*o*o*O*o*o*
'We need to move, Sister!' Silva growled as she crawled from under the bed with one swift move. She waited until Laena clumsily got out, staring wildly at the frost giant.
'Move, Laena'
She grasped her sister's hand tightly and quickly, they fleeted down the stairs. Silva dashed through the door, her eyes expertly darting at every corner of the street looking for any more signs of Frost Giants. She felt a sudden ache as she stared at the small huts around her, they were…Frozen, and human bodies sprawled on the ground, coated by ice. There was only one thought in Silva's mind and that was to escape from here. But before she could make another move, an aggressive hand pulled her away from Laena. She was pinned to the ground, a blue arm around her neck, suffocating her. She felt the air escaping from her lungs. She looked up just in time to see Laena's beautiful body turn into a lifeless, ice-cold statue.
'No!' She screeched, trying to free herself and be at her sister's side…Not beautiful Laena, not her.
'Silence' The giant suffocating her growled, his arm tightening around her throat.
' .Me' Silva spat out as a wave of dangerous anger erupted from her body, jerking the giant above her away and knocking down everyone around her. She quickly got up, rounding on the murderers of her lovely village. They were twice her size, with red eyes glimmering dangerously. She felt a bit shaken but regained repose and unleashed another wave of power at her enemies, sending them flying back. They lay sprawled at her feet, she felt a twinge of pride then remembered Laena. She quickly ran to her sister's frozen body. She leaned over Laena, tears threatening to fall. She paid no attention to the frost giant that sneaked up behind her and hit her so hard that her body helplessly fell down with a breathless gasp.
*o*o*O*o*o*
Silva slowly stirred into consciousness but she couldn't move her limbs. She tried issuing a spell but also couldn't. She felt cold, shackles around her wrists; they were hindering her powers. So instead of dwelling on her impaired state, Silva concentrated on the noises around her. Men were whispering around her in harsh tones.
'You have no business on this realm, this is Asgardian land' a crisp voice chipped.
'We were merely expanding our horizon, we meant no disrespect to the king' the frost giant's voice was easily recognized, their slight cold accent was well known all over the Realm.
'You've angered the king' the Asgardian continued, 'By the orders of the king I demand you hand over your prisoner and return to Johtenhim'
'But she is of no interest to you, leave her with us' Silva realized that she is being discussed. Her chest tightened with fear, what do the Frost Giants want with her?
'If you, savages have not killed her yet then she must be of interest to you' the Asgardian spoke thoughtfully, 'No, we will take her'
'Very well, my lord' there was an unmistakable hint of sarcasm in the frost giant's voice that angered the Asgardian.
'Return to Johtenhim and pray the king does not come after you' Finally, Silva thought, a threat.
'Surely the All-Father would be merciful to us forsaken race'
A sudden silence stretched then broke by the Asgardian's reply, 'The All-Father is in his Odinsleep, his son reigns in his place'
'Thor?' Silva could feel the smile in the Johten's words.
'No' came the Asgardian's reply, 'Loki'
Loki…Silva let the name swim in her thoughts for a moment. King Loki of Asgard had saved her.
Suddenly Silva yearned to see her savior.